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38th Street Church of Christ 3904 38th Street NW Canton, Ohio 44718 330-492-5523 Fax: 330-493-7119 |
| The Messenger On Line October 26, 2008 |
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The Family Of Christ
by F. Furman Kearley
Families have been often recognized as the foundation of society. Generally, families are the closest
units of any society. Family members strengthen each other, help each other and defend each other.
To write about the family of Christ is very needful, but it is more needful for us to truly make the church
the body of Christ as the family of Christ.
The phrase “family of Christ or family of God” is not used directly in the King James and American
Standard versions of the New Testament. However, the relationships are clearly expressed so that it is certainly
Scriptural to speak of the family of God and the family of Christ. The Scripture repeatedly calls God Father. The term brethren is used many times as an address of faithful Christians. They are beloved brethren and faithful brethren.
The term sister is likewise used to express the closeness of one member of Christ’s body to the rest. The entire fellowship of the church is described by the term brotherhood (I Peter 2:17; Rom. 12:10; I Thess. 4:9). Hebrews 2:11-12 indicates that Christ is what some call our elder brother. “I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the congregation will I sing thy praise.” Many see in this Christ as the first brother or the elder brother.
As one reads all of these Scriptures speaking of the relationship between brothers, sisters and father and elder brother, one is impressed with the fact that Christ’s family is important to Him and we have love and protection of the Heavenly Father and of Christ our Savior.
Another phrase that shows the closeness of the family of Christ is the phrase “love one another” and all of the similar love one another passages. We are to have the same care one for another. We are to be like a body caring for each and every member of the body. Since the church is the body and is the family of God, several lessons may be drawn from this fact. First, we should be united as a family. A good family stands together and is united. They may have some differences among themselves, but when the family is threatened by a third party, all of the family members come together to support, encourage and defend each other. Apart from a strong, Christian culture, this is one of the strongest traits of mankind, in general, throughout all of society. Families support and help one another.
How much more should those who are children of God and brothers of Christ, brothers and sisters of each other, support, encourage and defend each other! We should see that no brother or sister lacks food or clothing or lodging or any necessity of life. This was characteristic of the church in Jerusalem as noted in Acts Chapter 2 and Chapter 4.
The family is designed to feed and protect each member thereof. Christians should then strive to protect and help every brother and sister. As children grow and mature, they must have help from parents and older brothers and sisters. Every older Christian should be involved in nurturing younger Christians as they would younger brothers and sisters in Christ. We should teach them what they need to know to be successful in Christ. God is our Father. By His strength and power He enables us to overcome sin and to walk in righteousness. Christ, as our elder brother and the heir of all things from God, is able to walk beside us to encourage us and to help us to overcome evil and to do righteousness. Each brother and each sister should be constantly encouraging one another and making each other strong.
Let us truly prize our membership in the family of God and the family of Christ. Many human families prize the fact that they are a descendant of some famous person who helped to establish our country or to do some other great thing. Our Heavenly Father has created all things and given us the gift of life and all the blessings of life. We should be proud to be a member of His family and always exalt and praise Him.
People become a member of God’s family or the family of Christ by the new birth. Jesus indicated in John 3:1-5: “. . . except one be born again or born anew he cannot enter in the kingdom of God, but if one is born of water and the Spirit he can become a child of God.” Other Scriptures make clear that being born again is accomplished by developing faith and then being buried with the Lord in baptism to arise to walk in a new life. If you are not a member of the family of God, reflect upon this and realize that you should be. If you are a member of the family of Christ, then act like God’s children in every walk of life.
1999 Gospel Gazette www.gospelgazette.com
Family Matters
Prayer List: At the start of this past week, no one from the congregation was in any of the area hospitals. All were either at home, or in a nursing care facility for extended help. These included Ron Litman, Evelyn Poole, Marge Block, and Bob Franks. John Day, Ellen’s son, had been hospitalized with a blood clot in his leg, but was at home again by this past week. Both Gil Plummer and Rich Stalnaker (Sharon’s husband), also remained at home recuperating from surgeries. Pray for these people and their families, and for our Shut-Ins, those with cancer, others at home and ill, those who are away at the present time, those in the military, and the leadership of the 38th Street church.
Birth: Congratulations to Erica Anderson, granddaughter of Wayne and Betty Anderson and Harold and Juanita Brown, who had a baby boy last Sunday afternoon. His name is Brayden Michael, and he entered the world weighing 7 pounds, 2 ounces. Mother and baby are doing well.
“Trunk and Treat”: Our annual “Trunk and Treat” will be this evening, October 26th, after the service. Those folks participating in passing out “treats” are asked to park their cars with the trunks facing the aisles in the parking lot, toward the west end of the building. Please make sure your children are dressed appropriately – nothing scary or otherwise offensive. Please plan to stay and join us!
Ladies: The annual shopping trip to Grove City is scheduled for Saturday, November 8th. The cost is $22.00 per person. See Nancy Peshek by Sunday, October 26th, to sign up and to pay.
Election Day: On Tuesday, November 4th, the building will be used for election purposes.
Ladies’ Night Out: November 3rd, at 7:00 PM, will be our “Trash to Treasure” night. Bring useable items that you do not want and are willing to give to another. Any questions, see Juanita Brown or Nancy Brown.
Annual Holiday Dinner: This year’s dinner will be Sunday, November 23rd. Sign up if you are attending, providing a ham, and/or bringing a dessert. The cost is $2.00 per person and you can give that to Hope Camarata, Joan Cook, or Dorothy Sefert.
New Address: Joan and Nicole Cook have a new address: 7532 Lynx Ave., North Canton OH 44721.
The phone number is the same as it was.
Need: Bring your extra paper and plastic bags to be used in the Food Ministry.
Potter’s Children’s Home: A representative from the children’s home will be here on November 16th, to speak to a combined Adult and Teen class in the morning. There are a few gleaner cans that need to be filled to help meet the needs at the home. Pick up one today and return it to the office by the 16th!
Singing: A group will be going singing for two of our Shut-In members. Anyone is welcome and encouraged to go on October 27th, 6:30 PM, to the home of Mark and Vivian Starkey.
“Worship Time”: It’s time again to sign up for “hosting” worship time for our little ones. There is a sign up sheet posted on the east-wing bulletin board. Please consider signing up for a month in 2009!
NOCYC News: Acme register receipts are again being collected for the Christian Youth Camp in Lisbon. There is a box in the foyer for those receipts that can be donated until February, 2009.
Congregational Bowling: You are invited to go bowling on Sunday, November 16th, at the Colonial Lanes from 1-4 PM. Cost is $5.00 per person, including shoes. You must sign up on the Teen Board to attend this event.
Stepping Stones News: See Ruth Smith or Leila Kindall to get the 2009 Entertainment Book at $30 per copy.
Also, the sign up sheet is posted for those “Holiday Goodies” the Stepping Stones ladies make. Sign up now until the 23rd of November.
Gospel Meeting: .
> Carrollton (Rt. 9) – October 26-30 with Glenn Hawkins speaking.
Ladies’ Day:
> Cambridge (10th & Clairmont) – Saturday, November 1st.
Details for these upcoming events are posted on the east wing bulletin board.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
- Holiday Dinner – November 23rd
- Miss Molly’s Tea Room – Dec. 6th
- Christian Training School – February 9th – March 9th
- Ladies’ Breakfast – Feb. 21st
- Ladies’ Retreat – March 6th & 7th
- L2L Convention – April 9th – 12th
- Men’s Retreat – April 17th & 18th
Lads To Leaders
All students should be working on “Know the Books”. You can see Eugene Fox or Earl Ash when you are ready to complete this required event. This must be completed prior to convention registration in January.
Puppet Theatre: Puppet practice will be the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month at 4:30 PM.
Song Leading and Songs of Praise immediately following the evening service every 2nd Sunday of the month.
See Earl Ash or Heather Lindenberger if you need assistance with your speeches.
YOUTH NEWS
ENCOUNTER – OVU: We will be departing at 6:15 A.M. and expect to return at 4:30 P.M. There are no seats available for additional students.
Congratulations to Ethan Ash who was tapped for the National Honor Society on October 16th. He will be inducted on Thursday, October 23rd, at Jackson High School.
HELP NEEDED: The 2009 Youth Calendar is filling up fast! We still do have several months (summer primarily) available if you would like to host an event. Please see Earl Ash if you would like to plan or host an event for 2009. Our kids need and deserve your love!
TODAY’S SERMONS
A.M. - “The Eternal Choice”
(Matthew 7:13-14)
P.M. – “Questions About Christ”
(Luke 7:19-23)
(Those reading for lessons during the worship service are asked to use the “New King James Version”, as it corresponds to the pew Bibles and the projections on the screen.
Privileged To Serve TODAY
October 26, 2008
9:00 A.M. 6:00 P.M.
Opening Prayer Tom Walton
Song Leader S. Lindenberger Mark Daverio
Prayer Frank Kruger, Jr. Ray Hunt
Read Bob Crock Richard Smith
Reading Matthew 7:13-14 Luke 7:19-23
Closing Jim Jacobs B. McFadden
Communion: John Oberlin Offering: F. Kruger,III
Serving Communion:
1. Jim Spencer 5. Ray Hunt
2. James Spencer 6. Eugene Fox
3. Harry Rose 7. Bryan Reed
4. Larry Moffett 8. Josh Reed
For The Record (10/12/08)
A.M. Worship – 210 Wed. Bible Study – 75
Bible Study – 122
P.M. Worship - 122 Contrib. - $3727.16
“Go into all the world and
preach the gospel . . .”
Mark 16:15
Privileged To Serve
November 2, 2008
9:00 A.M. 6:00 P.M.
Opening Prayer Richard Dimit
Song Leader S. Lindenberger Art Hopkins
Prayer Mark Daverio J. Thompson
Read Steve Franks Jerry Cain
Reading Luke 6:38 Luke 8:26-31
Closing Ron Franks Brian Heid
Communion: C.Camarata Offering: Bill English
Serving Communion:
1. Brian Dimit 5. Bill Dimit
2. Clyde Burfield Jr. 6. Charles Evans
3. Matt Moser 7. Bill Gadow
4. Steve Moser 8. Leonard Miller
GREETERS
Today:
A.M. - Charles & Sandy Evans; Mark & Carol Dimitro
P.M. – Pilar Phillips & Carl Earley; Terry & Carol Pyles
Nov. 2nd:
A.M. – Harry & Leila Kindall; Gertie Turner & Bill Hootman
P.M. – Bob & Sue Hughes; Mark & Georgia Daverio